Giant Hexie Quilt Love

[sew and snuggle].

I have giant hexie quilt fever. 

Its almost an exact replica of my last Blueberry Park-inspired hexie quilt, the one that got away, but with more low-volumes in it and a touch of cream with the teal/gray combo. And of course the pop of cherry-rosie-pinky-make-me-feel-happy red. Which really does make me feel happy.

Hello Anna Maria Horner backing. I still love you. That's why I scooped up yards and yards of you and your cousin in red. She's next on the chopping block. Quilt backology is an art unto itself I am finding ...

Just add lots and lots of children and you've got a recipe for warm snuggles in the winter. 

And maybe a book for the quiet times? This week I've been captivated by God's Smuggler, my New Year's attempt to have an inspirational spiritual classic on the go most of the time. Oh, I love this book!! You could read this aloud to your kids, I think, at least there is nothing so far that is not appropriate. There are two things I love about this book: first, reading about the countless incidents where God works incredible miracles and how Brother Andrew responds. Second, this was a bit of a personal wake-up. Andrew describes his time at the Evangelization Center headquarters, and how they all get up very early to have quiet time with God, pray, read Scripture, and so on. Hey, I've read about people like this many many times, and I have friends like this who are disciplined and get up early (as in, before the kiddos wake up), to have a Holy Hour with the Lord. I've always thought how good that sounds. Yet I've considered myself *exempt* in a way, because my kids get up early enough as it is, I often stay up late to recharge my own batteries in the peaceful quiet, so as a result I fit in my "prayer" time whenever and however I can during the day. Its never a quiet time with God except of course for night prayer. Reading this excerpt however, it just struck me. If they are getting up early to centre their day on Christ, well gosh, why on earth can't I? I mean, I love the Lord, passionately, just like them. It made me think maybe I'm not so exempt. They have no special gene that makes the getting up easier. 

So it all has made me rethink very carefully what I'm called to do right now. I'm not naturally a morning person but once I'm up, its all good. I wonder if I could sustain this kind of habit. I don't have a lot of confidence in myself to do this. The spirit is willing but the flesh is just so weak, and the snooze button is well-used. 

Lets just say, it all struck me and stood out for me. So I'm contemplating. Contemplating is a very good start I think.

Linking up to Elizabeth's needle and thREAD. Go and check it out, always lots of fun over there.

In Progress

[sew].

This is in progress on the sewing table, a small Christmas wall quilt. Its getting there :). The colors alone revive me.

I still have lots of sewing plans and whether they get accomplished before Christmas or not matters none. Sewing is just a lovely journey in itself and I need the dreams and plans it provides.

As for reading? Its been a busy week. Its show week for three of my kids' Broadway choir group. So the reading has been choppy but I'm still slowly working through Breath of Peace. 

What about you? Want to see more? Make sure to check out Elizabeth's needle and thREAD. 

Patchwork Aprons and other lovelies

[sew].

A few very quick takes for you, my dear sewing friends, of the progress of Christmas gifts. I am very committed to use my love of sewing as a way to bless others. I want to give gifts from my heart and the best way to do that is to give gifts from my hands. Because the two are inseparable. So here are a couple of aprons ... with more aprons to come ... this one is my own concoction and its basically a rectangle for the skirt and a rectangle for the bib with a wide band in the middle.  I love it. I'm not sure I can give it away ...

It's reversible. Which is a good thing because I don't really want to wipe grease or grime on this side.  But the other side is my beloved Amy Butler, so its really a bit of a lose-lose situation ...

Haha! The ruffle is NOT reversible I just noticed! Whoops! I love it anyway. And by the way, the tie? Its extra-long; three widths of fabric in length so I can tie a pretty bow; and interfaced to give it some structure. I think the fact that this apron is lined, quilted and has an interfaced waistband/tie means it will hold up to the wash. Because I do have a store-bought apron that's cute, but it comes out of the wash looking like a wrung-out rag and I really don't have a lot of time for ironing.  

This half-apron was fun. Its loosely based on Jona's Apron-in-an-hour though not quite as wide. I used 10" pre-cut squares to make a four-patch, lined it and quilted it for extra structure. The tie is not as long as the first apron, only two widths of fabric, but it does the trick. 

And here's the reverse:

A half-apron is perhaps not as practical if you're standing over a sputtering stove, but gosh, it sure brightens up an old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, no?

My daughter snapped this of the apron in action. I had to take it for a test-drive, even if it will be a gift. Like, maybe :)

The other sewing goodies which I'm really very excited about come from Michelle Patterns; the Card Wallet. I don't know about you but it seems every store I shop at has a courtesy card of sorts. There's Costco, Hallmark, Paradise Cafe (when I'm in the U.S.), Indigo, Shoppers, Winners ... yeesh the list goes on. I mean, not all of them fit in the wallet for one thing, and not all of them are used frequently at all. Yet, you might want to keep them with you just in case. So, its very clear my friends, we all need a Card Wallet. Its an extra little lovely in your purse that you can easily find. I think they are awesome! I have one for low-use cards and one for library cards. The rest are for gifts!

I'm quite excited about giving these handmade treats to my friends and family, but I must admit there is a part of me that hopes/worries whether they will actually like it ... not everyone is into quilty-sewy-fabric-y-mugruggy-type stuff like me. But you know what? The joy is in the giving so I'm just going for it.

That's all I can show you right now, heh heh! On our sewing retreat last weekend my friends and I burned the midnight oil and made a tremendous amount of gifts - like pajama pants, quilts (yes I said quilts!), pioneer bonnets, infinity scarves, mug rugs, play-capes, aprons - I mean we really made the most of our time away. It was so much fun.

thREAD.
I am happy to report I finished Jeckyl and Hyde and ... I did NOT like the ending!!! I was actually a bit stunned that the end was actually the end! I thought for sure that Hyde wasn't really dead and would reappear for a final battle, perhaps against Utterson. But alas. Dead. (Spoiler. I'm sorry).  I now have just barely started to read the book Elizabeth recommended here, Breath of Peace. 

All for now. Be back later to link up with Elizabeth and needle and thREAD. xo

And here is that link! Enjoy!!

Hollyburn Skirt - Denim Style

[sew].

So remember in my most recent skirt post, I said I wanted to try a traditional plaid circle-ish skirt? Yes. Well, I'm one step closer because I now have a wearable muslin. 

Well, wearable, but not by me.  Boohoo!! It's too big. I know the pictures look fine and I *could* wear it, but the belt is cinched in pretty good and my sweater is tucked in to take up some of the ease.  

Hopefully one of my friends will snap it up. The skirt itself is so great though, really great! Meet the Hollyburn Skirt by Sewaholic.

I will right this minute unabashedly admit I have totally copied Sunni's denim version right here. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? Actually, I just really like a good denim skirt. It can be dressed up or down; it's casual enough for a mom to wear on any given day; it's comfy and durable. It never goes out of style.

The Hollyburn is incredibly popular, with construction methods especially geared towards beginners. In fact, there is an excellent sew-along right here. I highly recommend this pattern - its a good, classic, basic piece that is generally flattering to most figure types. I really like the side pockets. 

And you know I like to make the inside as beautiful as the outside. Hello Amy Butler!! Oh, this just makes me smile everytime I look at it - to see this surprise burst of freshness on the inside. My husband asked me why so much effort on the inside when nobody will see it but I will see it. It turns this garment into something special and handcrafted. It won't be thrown out next season like the fast fashion that most people seem to buy into these days.

I will tell you one thing, this skirt was extremely labor-intensive. That's because I wanted to use a Hong-Kong finish on the seams which is just finicky in itself. But the Hong-Konging led to drafting a zipper facing and modifying the waistband pattern piece to allow for a contrast facing which then led to modifying the construction altogether.  I added a bias hem facing to finish the whole darn thing off Amy Butler style. 

I have to say, all these extras make wearing a plain-Jane denim skirt feel pretty darn luxurious. Except for the part that it doesn't really fit me well. So let's talk about that for a second. 

Tasia of Sewaholic Patterns drafts specifically for a pear-shape body. I'm pretty much a rectangle, but it should still work for someone like me. I chose my pattern size based solely on the waist size because if the waist fits the hips will be sure to fit, I figured. I mean, they won't be too small in any case. But in fact there is a lot of excess flare going on where it shouldn't be going on, right at the hip, where I am not a pear. Next time I will take that into account and grade down to the appropriate hip size and see what happens.  

To be clear, I was fitting along as I sewed, in a general way. I did end up taking in side seams. But I had already Hong-Konged the centre front seam so I couldn't take that in without ripping out a WHOLE lotta work and I wasn't going to do that.  Still, things were looking good and I cut my waistband to fit. But then, you know what I did? I tried the finished product on with my tights. 

Tights suck in everything considerably. Love tights.

But my skirt? Totally loose on the waist and too big in the hips. Good thing for the belt loops and tucking in a sweater. I didn't cry though. I just filed that under lessons learned: Measure with the kind of undergarments you plan on wearing. Like, really.

So, I want to make another denim skirt to fit me better, which means whichever friend likes this skirt has to tolerate being twins with me. Any takers? 

Switching gears now to reading. I am making some progress through the Canadian classic, Two Solitudes by Hugh Maclennan. Slow, steady progress.

I'll be back later to link up with Elizabeth and needle and thREAD. In the meantime, tights. Measure with 'em on.

And here is that needle and thREAD link. Looks like I'm not the only one with fitting issues today!

xoxo

Playtime Dress with Oliver + S

[sew].

Hi there.

It's playtime.

Which means, it's sewing time.

Which also means, my little almost-three-year-old got a new dress - the Playtime Dress (and tunic) by Oliver + S, in cozy dozy flannel. She loves it!!

A few details? Earlier this week I saw Janice's version on Instagram, its just lovely and got me going. Because the pattern looks like its a wider and shorter design, she cut hers a size smaller and added length. I followed suit - normally I would sew a size 3 but I cut a 2 instead, yet kept the size 3 length. The fit is spot on, but I feel a bit more room would allow for a little growth. Even so, you can see the sleeve does have a dropped look, its way off the shoulder line. 

I made the sleeves 3/4 length and added a flounce in red flannel. I added flat piping around the chest, and a contrast hem band on the bottom.  I admit I couldn't help but think this would also make into cozy pajamas. Ditch the flounce, make it floor-length, maybe a ruffle on the bottom ... I think it can work.

I used a pattern I already own for the flounce, which is essentially a circle skirt for the sleeve. As for the flat piping, I cut  1 3/4"  bias strips, sewn together to make a long strip, then folded in half wrong sides together, pressed and basted to the bodice, raw edges even, before attaching the skirt with 1/2" seam allowance as per pattern. 

For the contrast band at the bottom, I used the difference between the pattern's tunic cutting line and dress cutting line as a guide. I cut two pieces of contrast flannel the exact width of the skirt pattern piece but double the length (because you will fold it in half and not actually "hem" anything), PLUS 1" seam allowance.   I joined these two panels at the side seams to make a tube, then folded in half wrong sides together, raw edges even. Once the skirt was attached to the bodice, I attached the band to the skirt bottom in one fell swoop, right sides together and matching side seams, using 1/2" seam allowance. I topstitched about an inch from the bottom of the band to give the hem a little weight and structure.

If desired, the pattern gives instructions to topstitch a faux collar which extends down the back. I used a triple-topstitch in red, but basted the outline first to make sure I liked it. Its not QUITE as precise as I'd like but, oh well :). 

And finally, I didn't bother with pockets, though I will definitely add them for my bigger girlies who will totally appreciate this detail. But I figured Katie won't know the difference.

This is a popular pattern right now in blogland especially because its a new release, so you will find a LOT of inspiration online! It was very sweet and quick to sew together with lovely details. My next one will be a tunic for sure. 

Oh, one more thing, if by chance you are sewing a size 2, make SURE to check your back facing pattern piece. There was a size error in the first printing of the paper pattern (so if you were eager and ordered the pattern as soon as it was released, you may have received the incorrect piece) which has since been fixed. You can print the correct piece under errata for this pattern, on the Oliver+S website. 

I think I'm ready to tackle the other new Oliver+S release, the Library Dress. That is, unless I get side-tracked with making Christmas gifts - mugrugs, aprons, curvy-clutches and other lovelies ... not too long till Christmas you know ... time to prepare :).

OK onto reading. 
Nothing to report. Must make more effort next week.  

Alrighty then.
I'll be back later to link up with Elizabeth when she posts her needle and thREAD.

Until then, its playtime my dear sewing friends!

And here is the link to Elizabeth's needle and thREAD! Enjoy!

[sew] skirt - Burda 7342

[sew].

Hi there.

Long time no sew.

Well, not really. More like, long time no hem.

This skirt, Burda 7342, has kinda been waiting on me to hem her. She's been hanging out so to speak. She's happy to be complete now though.

She likes to be dressed up. And down. Both are her style.

She likes a little movement, the kind that only a linen circle-ish skirt can provide. 

 

She's simple and classic from the outside. With pretty triple-topstitching in contrasting thread.

But on the inside? She has secrets.  Just like any other woman.

Like a Petersham ribbon hem. French seams. Bias-edged yoke facing. And mustard lining. Who likes matchy-matchy anyway when you can be surprising instead?

When you look within, you can see she really has a deep love of math. Though hidden.

Dear sewing friends, I have to tell you I love love love this skirt. It feels so great to wear, comfy and feminine. It goes with a whole bunch of stuff I already own. This, or any other neutral skirt in a pleasing style, is definitely a wardrobe-building piece. And I really love the weight that the Petersham ribbon gives to the hem - exactly what you want in a bias-cut skirt.  Gotta be Petersham though, grosgrain ribbon will not stretch the same way because it is constructed differently. 

As far as the pattern goes, it was not difficult and the fit was pretty spot-on. Make sure to cut, fit and sew your yoke before cutting out the rest of the skirt. If you have to adjust it for fit, that will also affect your lower skirt, and the yoke and lower skirt must match precisely. 

My only modifications to the pattern were to add a bias-edge to the yoke facing, and to change the flaps a bit. I reduced their size by about an inch all around,   AND changed the placement - I felt they were set too far apart.  See what's pleasing to your eye. But I do like the flaps, just a fun detail. They don't lead to any pockets by the way. Heh heh, another secret.

I am quite anxious to sew a traditional circle skirt now ... I've had some plaid fabric for about a year and making this has reminded me that I love skirts with swoosh.

Allllll-righty then. Onto other stuff. Like reading. Well, I do have a few books on the go, most from the library. They are all sewing books ... and include:

Sew Liberated by Meg McElwee

The Party Dress by Mary Adams. C'mon, it looked fun.

Pattern Fitting with Confidence by Nancy Zieman. She still rocks, I'm telling you. Tried and true.

The Essential A-line by Jona Giammalva. This book was a prize (yay!) from the Sew Mama Sew Super Online Sewing Match - the community match - for my Oliver and S Rollerskate Dress. Its a great book and full of inspiration on making a simple A-line your own. Jona is a neighbour and good friend of Heather Bailey.   

And I think that's a wrap. See, Tracy? Fitness hasn't cut into my sewing time all that much ... yet :)! Haha! And if there is a needle and thREAD post today, I'll be back a little later to link up. Till then, may all your sewing projects have secrets.

And here is the promised link. Go and check out Elizabeth's super-cute flannel Oliver+S picnic blouse for Sarah.

xoxoxo

Edited again, this time to link up with #sewselfish over at Lauren's. Thanks, Lauren, for the invite! This is a really fun link-up so make sure to see what everyone else is sewing :).

Totes and Boxies

[sew].

Oh my poor little neglected blog.

Jane Market Bag in Linen and Cotton. Japanese X Quilt Block Pocket. 

The last time you heard from me I was heading out on vacation and well, then we were getting ready for our homeschooling year, then our homeschooling year began and it was slightly traumatic. As it always is. In a really good way.

Back side of Jane Market Bag. Its just random strips.

First and foremost though, I am a homeschooling mom and second I'm a home sewing enthusiast. Wait, what I mean to say is God first, then I'm a wife, then I'm a mom who also homeschools and THEN I'm a home sewing enthusiast. But I only seem to like posting about the sewing. Anyhoo ... that's the roundabout reason why I haven't blogged too much, the homeschooling has taken priority now that September has arrived.

HOWEVER!!

This bag has "tucks" sewn on the four sides and around the bottom, so it keeps its shape quite nicely! I used a triple-stitch on the topstitching. I feel like it needs a French Baguette.

Added a pocket from an extra quilt block.

I'm beyond excited because next week I'm heading to Sewing Summit. Oh yeah! Part of the Summit experience is to sew like mad before going so that you can travel using some handmade lovelies, AND participate in a secret swap. Both are optional but very fun. Last year we made zip pouches. This year, we could make a mini-quilt, pouch/zippy, or tote bag.  Each person posted an "inspiration collage" on Flickr to highlight their style, colour preferences, etc. We know who we are making for, but not who is making for us. Here is what I've made for my partner:

Boxie Pouch - free tutorial at So Chick.

And the back side. Pretty simple lines.

So there you have it, a little peek at my latest projects. I have to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE sewing the Jane Market bag, and there are a zillion versions on Flickr which provide great inspiration. I'm planning to make more. 

I did modify the pattern slightly and just so I don't forget when I make this again, here's what I did differently:

• added an extra couple inches to each handle
• interfaced the handles
• enclosed them in the upper seam rather than attaching them to the outside
• added an inner pocket
• interfaced the exterior AND the lining with Shapeflex
• sewed a tuck around the bottom perimeter in addition to the four sides

That's all for now dear sewing friends. I'll be back to link up to needle and thREAD a bit later :).

... And here's our lovely link to this week's needle and thread.

Chowdy-doody!!